German scientists have announced that they have given up hope the the lander Philae, which is perched on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, will reestablish communications. The probe was deployed from the Rosetta spacecraft in November 2014 and last made contact on the comet in June 2015. Its landing position in shade made it difficult to fully charge the probe’s batteries. Before dying, the prove sent back confirmation of its discovery of 16 carbon and nitrogen-rich organic compounds on the comet.For more information…

The Philae lander has touched down on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, marking the first landing on a comet. The Philae was part of the Rosetta mission launched by the European Space Agency. Philae took about seven hours to cross from Rosetta to the comet before it touched down and launched harpoons into the comet’s head to anchor itself. Armed with ten instruments, Philae will help scientists learn more about comets.